The playful boys posing for a group photo at the workshop.
Khalid with his mirror frame project.
IN the budding township of Tanjong Manis in the state’s central region, seven youngsters gather around three workbenches cluttered with tools of all kinds at Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) Training Centre.
These six boys and one girl are students who have been undertaking a woodcarving course for 10 months, aimed at empowering them with industrial skills, knowledge, ability, confidence and self esteem to face the future.
It is among STIDC’s aspirations to produce skilled and knowledgeable human capital in the wood-based sector, specifically in processing related activities, timber trade and factory management.
The corporation has designed various training programmes to serve those in the timber-based industry.
It is committed to the human resource development, in ensuring that the industry would stay competitive in producing quality products slated for the global market.
The training centre provides two courses – woodcarving and carpentry (furniture-making). The approach applied during the sessions, conducted in Malay and English, is based on hands-on activities that are 80 per cent practical, and 20 per cent theoretical.
The training objectives, among other things, are to produce technically skilled workers who are able meet the demand of the timber industry; to upgrade the skills of current workers in accordance with the required quality standards; and to re-train employees in the wood-based industry.
Upon successful having completed the course and passing the necessary examination, the trainees will be awarded with certificates of competency, after which they may seek internships at major furniture factories across the state.
Mohd Khalid was fashioning a large mirror frame out of Maruni and Nyatoh wood alone at one of the workbenches at the centre.
The 19-year-old from Kampung Belawai said he had never learned woodcarving during his secondary school days but with passion, focus and practice, he had developed commendable skills.
Khalid, who is in his fifth month of training, told The BAT 5 Team that he had been working on the frame for the past three weeks.
“It’s not very hard, but it certainly takes time and a lot of patience. For this frame, I am using two kinds of wood. The basic carving involves drawing and measuring before cutting and trimming the wood into the desired shape with power tools; leaving a rough shape for detailing.
“Sculpting is next using tools like knives, chisels, gouges and mallet,” he explained as he showed the frame which was adorned with traditional floral motifs that are commonly seen in Malaysia.
Nur Hidayah smiling for the camera.
Students, under the charge of trainer Nur Farhan Nudin, would take sequential steps and learn the methods and techniques required to carve wood into products such as furniture and ornaments.
They would also explore and study various woodcarving designs from Malaysia, Indonesia and even Europe.
In Khalid’s case – and perhaps other people’s as well – life does not often go as planned.
The Kampung Belawai lad said he entered the training centre after completing Form 5 last year, but quit after he was offered a place at a university in Negeri Sembilan.
“However due to financial hardship, I dropped out of the university and returned to woodcarving programme this year,” he said of the reason why he chose to take up woodcarving.
Khalid said he would eye towards pursuing a diploma in woodcarving at the National Crafts Institute after completing this course with excellent results.
“Of course I want to get the highest education possible,” the trainee said, setting his sights on becoming an entrepreneur one day.
“I also intend to become a trainer at this centre after completing my diploma.”
Meanwhile, Nor Hidayah Mohd Dahlan was quietly working on a block of wood, paying no attention to the noise as The BAT 5 Team barged into the centre.
The 18-year-old from Kampung Salah Kecil in Pulau Bruit was very shy when approached – a situation made worse by the incessant teasing from her mischievous male coursemates.
Nor Hidayah, who is the only girl trainee among the lot, said she had always been interested in woodworking since young.
“Not sewing?” The BAT 5 Team asked, to which she smiled and shook her head as she continued ‘playing’ with her chisel and mallet.
“I like woodworks and crafts because of the beautiful designs.”
On her future plans, Nor Hidayah wanted to pursue carpentry training before continuing with the diploma in crafts at the National Crafts Institute, just like Khalid.
If the focus and determination of these woodworking trainees are anything to go by, indeed they are ‘carving’ out their own future with the right tools and mindset.
The boys concentrating on their woodcarving projects.
The lacquered pieces being left to dry on the workbench.
The workshop is well equipped with machinery needed for woodworking.